Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BAGHDAD4638
2006-12-20 16:07:00
SECRET
Embassy Baghdad
Cable title:
CHALABI DISCUSSES RECENT TRAVEL TO SYRIA WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO0201 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHIHL RUEHKUK DE RUEHGB #4638 3541607 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 201607Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8615 INFO RUCNRAQ/IRAQ COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC//NSC// PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004638
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS EPET SY IZ
SUBJECT: CHALABI DISCUSSES RECENT TRAVEL TO SYRIA WITH
AMBASSADOR, BARZANI
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
S E C R E T BAGHDAD 004638
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS EPET SY IZ
SUBJECT: CHALABI DISCUSSES RECENT TRAVEL TO SYRIA WITH
AMBASSADOR, BARZANI
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) In a December 15 meeting, Ahmed Chalabi discussed his
recent trip to Syria with the Ambassador and Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani. In an
unofficial visit, Chalabi met with Syrian officials including
Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid
al-Muhallem, and Mohammed Nassif, former head of internal
security for Syria's General Security Directorate. Chalabi
did not meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and did
not accompany former Iraqi Prime Minister, Ibrahim
al-Jaafari, who also visited Iran in mid-December.
2. (S) According to Chalabi, Syrian officials offered their
assistance to the Iraqi government. Al-Muhallem, Chalabi
said, praised the GOI, saying "he has lots of friends in Iraq
and does not want to cause trouble." Syrian officials noted
that senior Baath party leaders and GOI oppositionists
present in Syria strain relations with Iraq. The Syrians
told Chalabi that several Sunni leaders recently left Syria
citing Harith al-Dari as an example. Syrian officials told
Chalabi that Al-Dari, a Sunni oppositionist and leader of the
Association of Muslim scholars, recently left Syria and will
travel to Saudi Arabia and then Cairo.
3. (S) The Syrian FM wants to improve border security and
increase coordination with the Iraqis, Chalabi commented.
The Syrian officials told Chalabi they also want to find ways
to expand economic relations. According to Chalabi, they
suggested that one way to increase economic cooperation would
be to transport and sell oil from Kirkuk to Syria.
KHALILZAD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/19/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINS EPET SY IZ
SUBJECT: CHALABI DISCUSSES RECENT TRAVEL TO SYRIA WITH
AMBASSADOR, BARZANI
Classified By: Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (S) In a December 15 meeting, Ahmed Chalabi discussed his
recent trip to Syria with the Ambassador and Kurdistan
Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani. In an
unofficial visit, Chalabi met with Syrian officials including
Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Foreign Minister Walid
al-Muhallem, and Mohammed Nassif, former head of internal
security for Syria's General Security Directorate. Chalabi
did not meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and did
not accompany former Iraqi Prime Minister, Ibrahim
al-Jaafari, who also visited Iran in mid-December.
2. (S) According to Chalabi, Syrian officials offered their
assistance to the Iraqi government. Al-Muhallem, Chalabi
said, praised the GOI, saying "he has lots of friends in Iraq
and does not want to cause trouble." Syrian officials noted
that senior Baath party leaders and GOI oppositionists
present in Syria strain relations with Iraq. The Syrians
told Chalabi that several Sunni leaders recently left Syria
citing Harith al-Dari as an example. Syrian officials told
Chalabi that Al-Dari, a Sunni oppositionist and leader of the
Association of Muslim scholars, recently left Syria and will
travel to Saudi Arabia and then Cairo.
3. (S) The Syrian FM wants to improve border security and
increase coordination with the Iraqis, Chalabi commented.
The Syrian officials told Chalabi they also want to find ways
to expand economic relations. According to Chalabi, they
suggested that one way to increase economic cooperation would
be to transport and sell oil from Kirkuk to Syria.
KHALILZAD